2027 Poll: Presidential, Governorship Candidates Face N571bn Campaign Spending Limit
By Aliyu Oyewole
Candidates contesting the 2027 presidential and governorship elections could collectively spend as much as N571 billion on their campaigns under the expenditure limits prescribed by the Electoral Act 2026.
The figure covers 19 presidential candidates and 127 governorship candidates currently in the race across the country.
Under the new electoral law, each presidential candidate is permitted to spend a maximum of N10 billion, translating to a combined ceiling of N190 billion for the 19 presidential candidates.
Similarly, each governorship candidate is allowed to spend up to N3 billion. With 127 governorship candidates identified across 28 states, their combined spending limit stands at N381 billion.
The total permissible campaign expenditure for both categories therefore comes to N571 billion. The amount, however, represents the statutory maximum candidates are allowed to spend and does not mean the candidates will actually raise or spend the entire sum.
The development followed the publication by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the personal particulars and credentials of the 19 presidential candidates and their running mates ahead of the 2027 general election.
The publication also paved the way for the commencement of the presidential campaign season on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
According to election tracker NGelections.com, the 127 governorship candidates are spread across 28 states. Of the figure, 122 have been nominated, four have declared their intention to contest, while one remains under monitoring.
However, INEC’s official 2027 election portal had yet to publish the complete list of governorship candidates as of the time of the report, stating that the information would be made available soon.
The new spending limits are backed by the Electoral Act 2026, making compliance a statutory requirement for candidates and political parties.
A candidate who exceeds the permitted campaign expenditure limit risks a fine equivalent to one per cent of the applicable spending limit, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.
Despite the legal provision, there remains uncertainty over the effectiveness of enforcement, as there has been no confirmed case of INEC successfully prosecuting and securing a conviction against a Nigerian politician specifically for exceeding the statutory campaign spending limit.
With the 2027 presidential campaign season now underway, the N571 billion ceiling is expected to place increased focus on campaign financing, expenditure monitoring and the ability of electoral authorities to enforce the new provisions.
